Holpen one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 75.00% of reviewers

Nice looking route, some awkward bits along the way.

Walked from Penistone to Holmfirth. The southern half is mostly easy, but the last 4 miles into Holmfirth felt pretty tough. Nothing impassable, but a lot of rough ground, awkward step stiles and slightly wet sections, and (for those of us whose knees aren't what they were) a lot of steep downhills on stone and tarmac. Definitely deserving of a snail, but I suspect easier routes are possible - I wondered whether the longer route following the railway path as far as Dunford Bridge might be easier overall.

From Penistone station we go west on the old railway, now popular with both walkers and cyclists. This offers a good quick route out of town, but does not pass any facilities. Beyond a cutting, there are TransPennine Trail signs at the junction where we go down to the right, crossing the river and following the A628 west. I resisted the temptation to go straight up High Bank (Pete Belsey's good suggestion) - the A628 pavement is safe if a little noisy. There is an interesting large church just beyond the path we follow up the hill, which has a lot of steps but is otherwise quite easy. It would also be possible to take a more slanting line through the community woodland above the church.

The first part of High Bank beyond the village is excellent, though a little rough underfoot in places. This old lane has excellent views south and west as it hugs the top of an escarpment, before heading just right of the top of Royd Moor Hill. Here we reach a road junction and go straight on - the road is wide and reasonably quiet (much of the traffic turns right onto Annat Royd Lane for Ingbirchworth reservoir. The road gets quieter and narrower further north, and there are fine views east and north over the plains and towards the Emley Moor TV mast.

Eventually we climb a small hill and reach a crossroads, where we turn left onto the even quieter Windmill Lane, and left again onto the quieter still Potters Lane. This offers a change of perspective as we are now heading south. We follow the road west, and just beyond a bend to the south we go west again on Hey Slack Well, which is grassy and quite overgrown and has one wet spot where care is needed to stay dry-shod. At the T junction we turn left, then right to reach a bridletrack which takes a fairly level course round the side of Cheese Gate Nab.

Where we leave the main path left, we join a steep and quite rutted narrow path, which is a watercourse lower down - this needs a little care in descent and was the roughest part of the whole walk. Before long we reach a farm and the path joins a farm track, which is still fairly steep. We cross the main road and go straight on on a little used narrow road through woodland, then go sharp right on a good path along the river.

I suspect that the path up to Hepworth has improved since Pete walked it. It is now constrained by fences so easy to follow, and has only one short slightly wet and muddy section. It ends in a steep flight of steps, and we turn right along Towngate, passing a popular pub then taking the path right towards the church. We take two left turns, descending steeply partly on steps to the bridge over Dean Dike, then up more steps to a better track that takes us into Scholes, where there is another pub and a small shop.

I followed the GPX line but don't understand why it doesn't use the shorter route up Hayfield Close. No problems with the Ryefield path, but here we reach an area of small fields with a lot of low step stiles. We reach Sike Lane across fields and turn left, then right onto Sandy Gate. The right of way through the farm is not clearly signposted, but trust the OS map and you will find your way onto the lane easily enough. The path crosses a couple of open fields (one of the step stiles here requires a very big step up which may be a problem for smaller or less agile walkers). We then join a very overgrown grassy lane where the nettles meant I was glad to be wearing long trousers. This comes down to a farm. More grass tracks take us towards the Cliff Recreation Ground - it appears that most locals go into the parkland higher up so the straight on path is becoming a little overgrown.

We turn right onto Wooldale Cliff Road, then take the path left, then left again on a steep and slightly awkward narrow path down to Cliff Road. From here we are on streets, but they remain pretty steep all the way down. I got a little confused in the warren of stepped paths at the bottom and reached Towngate the far side of the church, but you can't go too far wrong.

Overall this is an excellent and scenic route, but not one to be underestimated, and definitely not suitable for any form of wheels or for walkers who can't cope with awkward stone step stiles.

5 star walking at the start and finish with a 3 star slog along country roads in the middle.

The walk starts with a steep but pretty climb out of Holmfirth. Take your time to look around at the cobbled yards and enjoy a sit down at the Cliff Recreation Ground at the top, with extensive views and some interesting local information plaques.

It's then a lovely walk across fields and tracks to Hepworth with plenty more good views and a village shop in Scholes if you need refreshments. We almost missed the left hand Y turn as you enter Scholes and climbed over the fence into the field to get back on track. Looking at the map afterwards, I don't think this was necessary as the clearer path that we were on appears to connect with Cherry Tree Walk and the Slow Ways route.

After Scholes, there is a particularly pretty bridge and wood just before you climb up to Hepworth.

The footpath down to the river as you leave Hepworth is more of a running stream than a path and hence both muddy and slippery. If you don't have the right footwear, consider staying on the road - there isn't a pavement but there's not too much traffic. It's then a climb almost all along footpaths up to the ridge, still with plenty of great views across the valley.

After this, it's a bit of a slog along country roads. There isn't any pavement but there's also not much traffic so it feels perfectly safe. The views are still good, as you are high up on a bit of a ridge, but it's hard underfoot and felt like it went on for ever. Sadly there aren't any footpath alternatives, although you could shorten it slightly by taking the (roughly) parallel road to the south.

When you finally get to the end of the road, it's worth turning right to stop at the Royd Moor Viewing Point - a stone walled spot with panoramic view, seating and a compass/information sign for local landmarks and history.

The rough track from here down into Thurlstone is lovely, with old stone walls to your left and views down into the valley on your right. Where the route turns right to go down to the main road, we stayed on High Bank, which is quieter and more pleasant. After this, it's one final climb up to the old railway line, which you follow all the way to Penistone station. If you want to visit the town and its shops and cafes (and small independent cinema), there are plenty of signs off the trail.

This is a varied and picturesque walk, with some challenging parts.
From Holmfirth, you explore cute back alleys and make your way up the hill to the cliffside views over the village. You'll make your way through fields and over stiles.
The routhe goes through a farm at Larch House (near to Holmfirth), and when I visited they had closed the path with a gate, which was firmly tied shut (even though this is a public right of way). As I didn't want to climb over the gate I took a detour, but I reported it on Pathwatch. Fortunately, you don't have to go far to the west to get around the farm.
The path going up Cheese Gate Nab (just after Hepworth) was the most challenging part. It's steep and narrow, but once you make it to the top you have an easy time for the remainder of the walk.
You'll have great views as you pass windmills on your way to Penistone. You'll see reservoirs and plenty of sheep.
The stretch leading into Penistone involves walking on the pavement next to a busy road. This is the least satisfying part, but before long you are on the glorious, smooth Transpennine Trail to guide you into the town.

It can be a windy route (hence the windmills), but with favourable weather it's a good way to see the area.

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